f the river.

"No, jist ye set doon here, Mr. Egerton," said his host heartily, "an'
mind, as long's ye're in Glenoro, ye canna come too often! The lassies
cut up a bit dust in the room yonder, but there's always a quiet corner
here, an' me an' Mr. Watson here,--tuts, tuts, Ah was forgettin'--this
is Maister Watson, our schoolmaster, aye, aye!"

A small, slim, young man, with a dark, thin face and bristling hair
jumped briskly from the depths of an easy chair and grasped Mr.
Egerton's hand.

"Pleased to meet you, sir, pleased to meet you, I'm sure," he cried
effusively. "I've been most anxious to meet you, especially since
Sunday, sir. That sermon was the best I've ever heard in Ontario, sir;
yes, sir, the very best, patriotism, patriotism, from beginning to end!
That's the thing! That's what the country needs, sir!"

He pumped his auditor's hand up and down vigorously while he spoke,
then, at the end, flung it from him, stepped back a pace and, striking
an attitude, stood gazing up admiringly at the young minister.

John Egerton was decidedly surprised and a trifle disconcerted. He had
not considered his sermon at all patriotic, though he did remember a
slight allusion to the greatness of the heritage of Canadians, but he
was a cordial young man and had come to Glenoro prepared to meet all
sorts of people. Besides, he was still very young and had not yet got
over feeling a thrill of pleasure when his sermon was praised.

"I am glad you liked it," he said smilingly, as he seated himself. "So
you think we need more patriotism?"

"Patriotism! Well I should think so! It's the crying need of this
country, sir! I'm glad I've got some one to sympathise with me at
last. Do you know, Mr. Egerton," he drew up his chair closer and
lowered his voice confidentially, "you'll find this an awfully backward
place in that respect. If all rural Canadian places are as bad, I
don't know what's to become of this country, sir! Why, the absence of
any public spirit is simply appalling! Why, Mr. Hamilton here can tell
you that when Mrs. Watson and I came here two years ago there wasn't a
flag in Glenoro, sir!"

Mr. Hamilton acquiesced apologetically; he opened his mouth as if to
speak, looked ashamed, and said nothing.

"Yes, sir," the schoolmaster was rattling along, "Mrs. Watson and I
were in the States for a number of years and I can tell you there's
where they know how to do things. Great country that, I tell you,